Highlands Ranch Herald 07-22-21

Page 1

July 22, 2021

FREE

DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

HighlandsRanchHerald.net

INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 22

VOLUME 34 | ISSUE 33

Colorado wildfires are year-round danger Hotter, drier climate influences how and when fires ignite BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

to make up for losses from the COVID-19 pandemic and make salaries slightly more competitive. However,

State climate experts and local fire officials along the Front Range say wildfire season no longer has an end as heat, low moisture and other factors have created a year-round problem. Russ Schumacher, the Colorado state climatologist and director of the Colorado Climate Center, said 2020 was the worst year on record for wildfires, rewriting record books on what kind of fires can happen and when. In the past, wildfire season was generally contained to the hottest part of summer in July and into August. Now, Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District Chief Daniel Hatlestad said, wildfires are a 12-month priority. The Inter-Canyon Fire District covers 52 square miles in Jefferson County. “We are seeing these fires spread, and spread quickly every month of the year,” Hatlestad said. “The fuel load across the Front Range has created more intense, frequent and longer-burning fires. There is no longer a change of approach to prepare for wildfire season because there is no season.”

SEE PAY, P29

SEE WILDFIRES, P4

Lindsey McKissick, outreach coordinator for the Backcountry Wilderness Area, points to the land covering more than 8,000 PHOTO BY THELMA GRIMES acres between Highlands Ranch and Castle Pines that is protected from development.

Backcountry Wilderness Area thrives Conservation efforts, community programs make land a benefit to Highlands Ranch BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In Highlands Ranch, the more than 8,200 acres of open land

known as the Backcountry Wilderness Area (BWA) is a special resource that is being preserved as open, natural space. In the 1980s, before housing

construction reshaped Highlands Ranch, early visionaries wanted to make sure wildlife and grasslands SEE WILDERNESS, P20

District takes first steps in overhaul of educator pay DCSD hopes to pick up where it left off before the pandemic BY LIAM ADAMS LADAMS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The Douglas County School District has a short-term and long-

term plan to improve educator compensation. The district is ending furlough days and boosting employees’ base salaries this upcoming school year

MOVING ON FROM COSBY

She testified that the actor sexually assaulted her. Now she wants the spotlight on needed changes P2

ON AN UPSWING

Pickleball is still popular among seniors, but now younger generations are discovering the sport

P14


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